Intermediate Report Research of Pre-election Period - The Human ...

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answer our questions either. Attorneys of territorial entities are also on holiday till October 2. They participate in the pre-election campaign of the National-Movement. 103 7.On September 24, 2012 CEC passed resolution on the regulation of photo and video footage in polling stations on the Election Day.These regulations restrict photo-video footage. We believe this resolution contradicts the Article 8 Part 25 of the Election Code of Georgia which does not contain any restrictions for photo-video recording in polling stations on the Election Day. 104 IFJ Calls for Guarantees on Press Freedom ahead of Elections in Georgia The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the authorities in Georgia to guarantee independence of media ahead of the general elections due to take place on 1 October. "Past elections in Georgia have been marred by attempts to control media and obstruct independent reporting, "said IFJ President, Jim Boumelha. "There is now an opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to open governance and democratic rule by allowing journalists to operate freely and safely during the pre-election period." According to the Independent Association of Georgian Journalists (IAGJ), an IFJ affiliate, there have been nearly fifty cases of harassment, threats or attacks against journalists since the middle of last year 2011. Many private media outlets were simply prevented from operating. The IFJ is concerned by reports of the government's measures to limit the freedom of journalists during the elections by imposing restricted areas for reporters. In recent months, the Government attempted also to obstruct activities of independent media outlets with the modification of the tender process for press distribution booths in the capital city and the dismantling of satellite antennas of private companies, reports say. The situation of press freedom further deteriorated with the violent police crackdown of the opposition protest rally in May 2011 as well as the arrest in the last July 2012 of photo 103 http://www.humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=15571&lang=geo 104 http://cesko.ge/files/2012/DADGENILEBA/d_42.pdf 74
eporters for alleged "espionage". Journalists were beaten and their professional equipment was intentionally destroyed. The IFJ says that these incidents undermine freedom of speech and freedom of expression. "Media clampdown is always misguided and counterproductive," added Boumelha. „ Democracy will not take hold in Georgia unless the authorities wise up to the reality that journalism is a public good and create an environment which is conducive to independent reporting." The IAGJ has also condemned media repression in Georgia, describing it as a violation of the Georgian public's right to information. 105 8. 40 liters of wine from National Movement –On September 21, wine of state enterprise Gruzgvinprom [wine-producing company] was distributed in Chumlaki village in the families victimized by natural disaster. Attorney of territorial entity Abo Kasrelishvili said the families victimized by natural disaster received wine from the Ministry of Agriculture. Gurjaani based company Gruzvinprom is state enterprise and they have been purchasing grapes from local peasants for several years already. Village governor‟s son and National Movement‟s activists were distributing wine in the village. In parallel to it, activists of the ruling party carried out agitation in support of the UNM. Video-recording of this fact irritated specialist of the Chumlaki village territorial entity Ioram Ortoidze. First he hit the camera and then insulted journalists. 106 9. Public servants at the assembly during working hours – on September 24, at 5:00 pm President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, prime-minister Vano Merabishvili, chairman of the parliament Davit Bakradze met supporters of the National Movement in Gurjaani. President nominated the majoritarian candidates of the National Movement in Kakheti region to the gathered people, mostly pupils of the local public schools. Attorney of Chalaubani village 105 http://humanrights.ge/index.php?a=main&pid=15626&lang=geo 106 http://www.ick.ge/ka/articles/12523‐1‐n‐6.html 75
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Human Rights Center (HRIDC) Interme
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Contents Introduction -------------
Page 5 and 6:
Standards for Assessment of Pre-ele
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partners started to have problems (
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administrative resources is prohibi
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several political bodies (party or
Page 13 and 14:
On December 27 2011, nine months be
Page 15 and 16:
amendments to the Constitution) spe
Page 17 and 18:
sexual activity with a male employe
Page 19 and 20:
standing away from the perimeter in
Page 21 and 22:
shooting the incident; suddenly the
Page 23 and 24: leave the party in time they would
Page 25 and 26: school Kamila Khevsurishvili threat
Page 27 and 28: Dream. Nodar Javakhishvili told Int
Page 29 and 30: Nobody commented on the fact from t
Page 31 and 32: the cottage; they verbally and phys
Page 33 and 34: Commission, does not allow them to
Page 35 and 36: On August 23Suliko Mikeladze and Ir
Page 37 and 38: said they were from police. I asked
Page 39 and 40: “Yesterday, late in the evening,
Page 41 and 42: 28. Free Georgia‟s regional offic
Page 43 and 44: 32. Ledi Natadze, member of the ele
Page 45 and 46: on July 29 she was called back and
Page 47 and 48: presumably is activist of the Natio
Page 49 and 50: got out of the cars. They started b
Page 51 and 52: in my car and everybody confirmed t
Page 53 and 54: Based on the applications, the char
Page 55 and 56: We checked part of the information
Page 57 and 58: We call upon the State Audit Office
Page 59 and 60: 56. During the night of August 7, 2
Page 61 and 62: and slapped him. The former went an
Page 63 and 64: officers, disobeyed and offered res
Page 65 and 66: 74. Nugzar Kapanadze - was arrested
Page 67 and 68: Instances of questionable arrests i
Page 69 and 70: Due to the aforementioned circumsta
Page 71 and 72: Sagarejo district former governor G
Page 73: Center gets funds from the Akhmeta
Page 77 and 78: Mkinvartsveri. Several days later h
Page 79 and 80: According to ICK products will be g
Page 81 and 82: Conclusion As a result of monitorin
Page 83 and 84: At the same time, the State Audit O
Page 85 and 86: OSCE PA President Riccardo Migliori
Page 87 and 88: “Up to date, only a small portion
Page 89: Human Rights Center Al. Kazbegi Ave
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